I really enjoyed the first book in this series, which saw the meeting of Violet Hamilton and Benjamin Blackthorne, where Violet took on her first challenge as a lady detective, leading to the establishment of the Hamilton and Blackthorn Detective Agency.

In this instalment, the death of an acquaintance of Violet’s leads the pair to begin an investigation that will take them all over the town of St Leonards and beyond. As with the previous book, the story is light-hearted, with lots of humorous moments. The characters are lovely, and I enjoyed learning more about life in a seaside town in the late 1890s. The relationships between the characters are great, and I look forward to reading more from this pair of detectives.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

This is the second book featuring lady detective Violet Hamilton. Violet is a lady detective trying to solve mysteries for the middle classes How to solve murders like a lady is a great historical fiction that is full of mystery, laughter and fun. I loved everything about Violet and her adventures! Highly recommended!

Book 1 was amazing and book 2 didn't disappoint either. I love the female protagonist so much! She's such a good soul.

Hastings, 1898. Violet Hamilton is a very unusual young lady. After her adventures in No Life for a Lady she now finds herself pursuing her dream of being a lady detective at the side of her handsome fiancé, Benjamin Blackthorn. No job is too small for Violet as she develops her sleuthing skills, mostly because her protective beau has yet to let her take on a more violent or salacious case, despite being fully supportive of her ambitions. However, she is determined that her sex will not prevent her from becoming a full partner in the their detective business.

When the body of the respectable Mrs Withers, known for her outspoken attitude (as Violet knows only too well), is found on the beach, Violet is sure that there is more to her death than meets the eye. As she and Benjamin start to ask questions about the incident branded as an accident, they uncover scandal, corruption, and an astonishing plan to rip the heart out of the seaside town they know and love.

Violet soon finds herself the target of those keen to carry out their sinister plans, but woe-betide them for underestimating her fearlessness and grit. She may be a woman, but she is also every bit the detective she was born to be, and she will not rest until justice has been served.

The delightful Violet Hamilton is back in her second Victorian sea-side adventure from Hannah Dolby, and it is just as enchanting as the first. Violet begins this story hot on the heels of a goat thief, but soon she has a much trickier case on her hands, which comes with real danger.

The Violet we meet in this second book is as likeable as she was in her first adventure, and she has also grown in confidence and determination to keep her independence - two qualities that will very much come to the fore in the twisty plot that Dolby has in store for her. Whoever was behind the demise of Mrs Withers has grand plans for this quiet sea-side town, but it is not easy to detect who these villains are, or exactly what they have in mind, and Violet must call on the help of several characters - including the advice of literary heroine Miss Cately, who Violet uses as a role model to comic effect. I especially enjoyed the reappearance of familiar faces Hildebrand, Miss Turton and Mrs Monk, who make great female friends for Violet, as they are not afraid to support her in her 'frowned-upon. feminist pursuits like riding a bicyle! Hurray!

This book does have a more accomplished feel to the first one, which shows how much Dolby is settling into writing about both her characters and setting. Her trademark humour and subtle social commentary are here in buckets, which is one of my favourite things about these novels, but she also weaves much more action and drama this time around, keeping you firmly on the edge of your seat and threading the plot with lashings of mystery and misdirection. Violet gets into some pretty nasty scrapes, which put her in extreme danger, and the delicious thrill of a blow by blow climax on the funicular railway was first class.

The first book beautifully explored sex and class in Victorian Britain, which Dolby touches on again in this story, and she brings in a wealth of other fascinating themes too - notably wellness, doubtful medical remedies, and the bizarre world of female health treatments, which by and large seem solely aimed at curbing troublesome females (even an electric corset gets a mention!). I particularly liked that Dolby brings in a thread about the menopause, which is not something you generally mentioned in a historical fiction story like this. There are sensitively wielded themes about happiness in marriage, and romantic relationships too, with some heart-warming developments in Violet's father's life, as well as her own.

This series is an utter joy to read. Dolby's writing is so engaging, and she knows how to thrill, amuse, and touch the emotional soft-spot in equal measure. These are characters you can really take to heart, playing out an entertaining Victorian caper in a nostalgic setting that makes you long for a paddle in the sea and a stick of rock. I loved everything about this book and cannot wait for the next one.

This is the second book in this fun series. Where Violet is in training to be a lady detective ably assisting her fiancée. While also experimenting with being a ‘lady’ by attending a local ball where she finds herself embroiled in a murder case about Mrs Withers and violet investigates how to solve the murder. Meanwhile Benjamin is taken to prison and she is determined to rescue him.

Love this author and her style of writing! A brilliant read by Hannah Dolby, with a some humour about being a lady detective in a time when such things weren’t the norm. Look forward to the 3rd book

I enjoyed this second instalment of this series. Violet Hamilton is in training to be a lady detective ably assisting her fiancée. She experiments with the concept of being a ‘lady’ - attending a local ball - but instead finds herself embroiled in a murder case. Mrs Withers - an outspoken lady - who haunted Violet is found dead on the local beach and she is determined to solve the mystery. Meanwhile Benjamin is taken to prison on a trumped up charge and she is determined to rescue him and continue investigating.

A convoluted plot but with some entertaining moments and interesting characters.

I am enjoying watching Violet find herself!

A welcome return of feisty Violet and her partner Benjamin, as they continue to solve mysteries and sell furniture.

This story sees Violet investigating the murder of a local busybody, however not many are willing to talk to a lady detective.

A splendid follow up to the first book.

Thanks must go to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book to read in exchange for my review.

I loved the first book in this series; getting to know Hannah and her beau Benjamin. This is a fantastic sequel to the first novel; it's refreshing to see how Hannah grows in confidence and authority throughout the story.

Hannah is relishing her role of Lady Detective, eager to learn whilst putting herself in some precarious situations. But that makes her all the more endearing and you so what her to succeed!

A body is found on the local beach, a local woman well known to Hannah and so she in determined to find out what happened to her and discover the murderer. She and her fiancé Benjamin are blocked at every turn and Hannah's reputation is under the spotlight, not helped by people who want to sully her name and feel that detective work is not becoming to a "lady".

Hannah is not thwarted though and is do; doggedly ruthless in finding out what has happened and uncovering the killer. More to this than meets the eye and more nobility involved, Can you apprehend the culprit before more damage and mayhem ensues?

She is a delightful character, you so want her to succeed. A great series set in Victorian Hastings - can't wait for the next one!

Another smasher! It's so rare for me to laugh my way through a book but laugh I did and I enjoyed every part.
I read this book after listening to the first book via audiobook. I loved the narrator and will be listening to the second as soon as I can get my hands on it!

I think the mix of naivety and innocence mixed with a thirst to be more than she is allowed to be by society, makes Violet an amazing character. Her wit and her eagerness to live are very refreshing. Along with a mix of characters ranging from the spoiled to the arrogant and pompous to the charming and the evil. I was almost sorry to see Mrs Withers go as she provided a literary rage in me. Mr Glossop certainly made up for it in this book and my fingers were itching to punch him on the nose.

Violet really comes into her own on this book and there is so much storyline that it held my attention throughout reading it and my thoughts when I had to put it down for a while. I really hope this will be a long series, sign me up for the next one if so!

Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review. It has been added to Storygraph and Goodreads already and will be reviewed on Amazon shortly as well.

Lady Detective in training Violet Hamilton is back in Hannah Dolby’s new book How to Solve Murders Like A Lady. Make sure to read the first book, No Life for a Lady, before reading her new book as it starts directly after the final events of book one.

Violet is a very naive and sheltered middle class woman determined to pursue a career as a lady detective. Like in the first book, this is a story of women breaking conventions, battling stereotypes held by society. Violet’s frustrations can be felt throughout and her battle to be seen as an independent figure is beautifully played out by Dolby.

If you’re looking for a cosy detective mystery set in Victorian England, How to Solve Murders will be the perfect fit. This series is Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes with a sprinkling of the sass and determination of Miss Marple thrown in for good measure.

How to Solve Murders Like a Lady is out now. Thanks to NetGalley and Aria and Aries for the arc. 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a delightful murder mystery and it was a joy to return to so many familiar characters. I can't wait for book 3!

Hannah Dolby has done it again! I adored Violet in her first adventure, the writing alone makes you feel as if you are living in a different age. This time, Violet is intent on being a 'real' detective, in spite of opposition from her father and society in general - I loved meeting characters from the first book and seeing historical figures pop up added an additional sense of time and place. This is a mystery to curl up with - adorable!

When this landed on my kindle, I was excited and honestly devoured the book vey quickly. Overall a fantastic, easy read and wonderful sequel to Hannah Dolby’s ‘No Life for a Lady’. Detective Violet Hamilton is back, as we follow her adventures with her fiancé Benjamin.

There are a lot of recaps during the first few chapters which definitely helped me (and will help other readers) remember the characters and what had happened previously. A fantastic easy read, full of warmth and humour as Violet not only tries to solve a murder but also the idea of getting married. I am left hoping for more books in this series and hope there is more to come.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah Dolby does it again. I loved No Life for a Lady, so had high expectations of this book and it didn't disappoint.
Hannah makes me laugh out loud. On one occasion, I felt compelled to read a line out to my husband, and he had a good chortle too! Violet is such a character and her adventures are just delightful. Really crossing everyone that there is a third book as I'd love to know what happens next.

Loved being back with Violet in Hastings. Love the mixture of history, humour and mystery in this book. Hoping book 3 is on its way!

Violet Hamilton is no ordinary lady…

She is a Lady Detective, who spends her time solving mysteries and unveiling scandals in the bustling seaside town of Hastings and St Leonards, a popular spot for the Victorian middle classes.

This was such a fun read for a topic that could be quite dark given that it deals with murder and intrigue. But I do love the way that Dolby creates her stories.

This is the second book in the series and although it can be read as a stand-alone, the reader would benefit from reading the first book. Violet is the main character along with her fiancé, Benjamin. Violet is determined to be a lady detective alongside Benjamin. Benjamin has quite modern views for the time and has no problem with Violet working with him. He is also very appreciative of Violet’s intelligence. Violet is full of self doubt but she is trying to overcome her believed shortcomings. Violet is a likeable character but she has to suffer men who doubt her capabilities because she is a female. This is written in quite a quirky and at times humorous way. I have enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more adventures with Violet. l received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ll admit I was a tad nervous about this one after loving the author’s refreshingly original debut last year. Could Hannah Dolby overcome those dreaded second book jitters and deliver an equally enchanting follow-up?

Well, she could, and she most certainly did!

It was an absolute delight to be back in fin-de-siècle Hastings, with Lady Detective Violet Hamilton, in another whimsical, rambunctious romp involving murder, nefarious shenanigans, and some delicious will-they-won’t -they romance.

When local stalwart, Mrs Withers, is found dead on the beach after a society ball, Violet has reason to believe it’s no accident and seizes the opportunity to prove her worth as a detective. Her investigations land her in all kinds of scrapes, including almost drowning in the sea, risking her life on a funicular, and being threatened with an electric corset to help cure her ‘hysteria’.

At her side is fellow detective and fiancé, Benjamin Blackthorn, whose dark good looks she variously compares to those of Lord Byron and Robert Burns. Although theirs is ostensibly an engagement of convenience, the attraction and fondness between them is palpable and a titillating thread of the narrative.

It is Violet, though, who is undoubtedly the star of the book. Hopelessly unladylike and unwilling to be beholden to any man, she’s strong willed, fiercely independent, and has a total disregard for social conventions; the kind of character you want to champion at every turn.

Historical detail is a key feature of the narrative, vividly bringing to life the Victorian seaside setting and the social mores of the time, especially those regarding women. Having earlier this year read Elinor Cleghorn’s fascinating study ‘Unwell Women’, I appreciated seeing some of these shocking attitudes incorporated here.

There are many strands to this story, more so than in the first book, but it is still a light, easy and thoroughly entertaining read, and with a highly satisfying conclusion that sets things up nicely for another instalment.

The discovery of a local woman's body in the popular Victorian seaside town of Hastings and St Leonard's understandably causes a furore. And it is a mystery that Lady Violet Hamilton is determined to get to the bottom of.

Unfortunately, not everyone believes that being involved in a murder investigation is "a woman's place", but Lady Violet is a woman who doesn't know her place when it comes to society's dictates about women's roles, but can put her privilege to good use when it suits her!

This humorous and lively story not only pokes fun very effectively at the gender stereotypes of the day, it also introduces us to the delightful Lady Violet, an excellent protagonist for this very enjoyable read. It gets 3.5 stars.